Sheathing and siding hangers

ABSTRACT

A building construction connective hardware which holds and supports the starter row of wall sheathing and most types of siding at the mud sill and foundation and which holds and supports the roof sheathing at the rafter tails, comprised of a thin, flat rectangular shaped upper arm ( 20 ) with nail holes ( 28 ) and a slightly bent, lower arm ( 22 ) that flattens into an L-shaped resting mount ( 24 ) with a narrow holding lip ( 26 ) at its edge.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates to building construction connective hardware, such that it is a fastener designed to hold and support the starter row of wall sheathing and most types of siding at the mud sill and foundation and the starter row of roof sheathing at the rafter tail-ends.

2. Discussion of Prior Art

Currently, the installation of sheathing and siding to buildings is done without the aid of fasteners, other than nails, in a non-uniform, labor intensive process. Common practice is for each sheet of sheathing to be fitted by hand and nailed onto the structure. For example, one person holds the sheet of osb or plywood in place as another person checks to make sure it is level and plumb and nails the sheathing to the framing. A team of installers might use a nail at the joint between the mud sill and the foundation wall as a temporary holder for the sheet materials, which makes the sheathing level with the mud sill; however, to get a better weather seal the sheathing should hang below the mud sill approximately 1″, which requires a person(s) to hold it in place by either eyeballing the fit or following a chalk line. As the wall is sheathed in this manner, one end of the wall may be off its mark by as little as a 1/16″ or more inches, forcing the reinstallation of the sheathing. The sheathing and siding hangers will do away with this inaccuracy, by creating a solid and level resting mount, at an ideal, approximately 1″ drop below the mudsill for proper weather sealing. Once set on the hanger, the sheathing can be nailed on as usual. It is envisioned that two or more hangers will be needed to hang one sheet or piece of material, depending on its size or orientation and the discretion of the installer.

Good building practice is to hang the wall sheathing at least 1″ below the mud sill and off the ground by at least 6″, depending on the material being installed, to help create a proper weather seal. There is no conclusive method to check for this application in the field, because once the sheathing is installed, the mud sill is covered. By introducing a piece of hardware that affixes to the foundation and mud sill in such a way that it creates an approximately 1″ tall, flat resting mount for hanging the material, the installer, inspector or building owner can easily make a visual inspection of the presence of this sheathing or siding hanger and recognize it by name or model number. It may even be identified as an element on architectural or engineering plans.

The sheathing hangers can also be used at the edge of the roofline. The hangers would attach to the rafter tail-ends, creating a solid mount for resting the roof sheathing starter row, where it can then be nailed on and connected to the remaining roof. Current practice is to hold the sheathing in place by hand at the edge of the roof, which is awkward and labor intensive.

At this time, I am not aware of any prior connective hardware on the market that is specifically designed and constructed for holding and supporting the starter row of wall sheathing and various types of siding at the mud sill and foundation, and the starter row of roof sheathing at the rafter tail-ends.

SUMMARY

This invention is a building construction connective hardware made of corrosion-resistant metal in a known stamping or molding process with, potentially, some hot fusing of components, which comprises a thin, flat rectangular upper arm with nail holes for attaching to an existing building and a lower arm, approximately 1″ tall, that bends at a right angle into an L-shaped flat resting mount with a narrow holding lip to support a piece of sheathing or siding.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

Several objects and advantages of my invention are:

(a) to aid in the installation of wall sheathing and most types of siding to a building structure at the mud sill or foundation level;

(b) to be a uniform, solid resting mount for hanging the starter row of wall sheathing and some types of siding to a building;

(c) to level the sheathing and some types of siding around the entire structure;

(d) to be a means for an inspecting body to verify that the sheathing is hanging at a uniform height below the mud sill;

(e) to create a uniform, solid resting mount on the roof rafter tail-ends for the starter row of the roof sheathing;

(f) to reduce the amount of manpower needed to install wall or roof sheathing and most types of siding to a structure, because the hangers help support and level the weight of the material on its edge, relieving a person(s) from having to firmly hold it up and in place as it is nailed on.

Further objects and advantages of my invention may become known from a review of the drawings and the following descriptions.

DRAWING FIGURES

In the drawings, closely related figures have the same number, but the alphabetic suffix “A” refers to an embodiment of the invention and the alphabetic suffix “B” refers to a drawing of “A” installed on a structure. “C” refers to a drawing of version of “A” modified for a corner.

FIG. 1A shows a sheathing and siding hanger with one L-shaped resting mount.

FIG. 1B shows FIG. 1A nailed to the mud sill and hanging down the foundation wall.

FIG. 1C shows a corner version of the sheathing and siding hanger in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2A shows a siding hanger with a flat T-shaped bottom comprised of a rear support tab and a single front resting mount.

FIG. 2B shows FIG. 2A fastened to a sheet of osb or plywood sheathing with the rear support tab of the siding hanger underneath the bottom edge of the existing sheathing.

FIG. 3A shows a sheathing and siding hanger similar to FIG. 1A but with a flat, reverse L-shaped, rear tab where the lower arm bends and begins.

FIG. 3B shows FIG. 3A nailed to the side of the mud sill with the rear support tab inserted between the top of the foundation wall and the mud sill.

FIG. 4A shows a sheathing and siding hanger similar to FIG. 1A but with a top support tab containing a nail hole.

FIG. 4B shows FIG. 4A adhered to a mud sill with an upside down L-shaped, support tab nailed to the top of the mud sill and the upper arm of the hanger nailed to the side of the mud sill.

FIG. 5A shows a sheathing and siding hanger similar to FIG. 4A, but with two resting mounts for hanging two sheets of material.

FIG. 5B shows FIG. 5A nailed to a mud sill at the top and sides, with the double resting mount perpendicular to the foundation.

FIG. 6A shows a sheathing and siding hanger similar to FIG. 3A, but with a double resting mount for hanging two sheets of material.

FIG. 6B shows FIG. 6A nailed to the side of a mud sill with the rear tab inserted between the top of the foundation wall and the mud sill. The double resting mounts are perpendicular to the foundation.

FIG. 7A shows a siding hanger shaped like an L shape, but with wedge-shaped solid side arms, a resting mount and a narrow lip for holding the siding in place at a slant against the edges of the side arms. The hanger is attached to the building structure with two nails going through the upper arm between the two side arms.

FIG. 7B shows FIG. 7A attached to a sheet of osb or plywood sheathing.

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS

20 upper straight arm 21 side arm 22 lower arm 24 resting mount 25 support tab 26 holding lip 28 nail hole 30 90° bend 32 slight bend, 3°-6° 40 foundation wall 50 mud sill 70 osb or plywood sheathing

DESCRIPTION FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C—Preferred Embodiment

A preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 1A. The hanger is envisioned to be made of a corrosion-resistant metal such as galvanized steel. It is relatively flat and wide enough, approximately 1″ more or less, to be affixed to a building structure. The hanger is made using a known stamping or molding process with, potentially, some hot fusing of components. It consists of a flat, rectangular shaped upper straight arm 20, which may range in height from approximately 1.5″-4.5″ or more. The hanger is envisioned to be fastened to the structure using nails at the holes 28. The hanger has a slight bend 32, which starts the lower arm 22, which is approximately 1″ tall in this embodiment. There is a right angle bend 30 at the bottom of the lower arm 22, forming an L-shaped horizontal resting mount 24 for the sheathing or siding. The length of the resting mount 24 can range in size, but should support the width of the material it is holding. The hanger is edged with a narrow holding lip 26, which is at a right angle 30 to the resting mount 24, such that it holds the material in place on the resting mount.

The preferred embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 1B mounted to a mud sill 50 at the nail holes 28 of the upper arm 20, so that the lower arm 22 rests against the top of the foundation wall and holds the sheathing material approximately 1″ below the mud sill. The narrow holding lip 26 comes up at a right angle 30 in order to keep the sheathing or siding material in place on the resting mount 24. FIG. 1C illustrates a corner hanger of the preferred embodiment with butterfly shaped, double upper arms 20 at a right angle 30 to each other with two nail holes 28 in each arm and a fifth nail hole 28 in a top, bendable support tab 25. Two L-shaped resting mounts 24 are at the bottom of the lower arms 22 with narrow holding lips 26 on both mounts 24.

This embodiment may ideally be made of galvanized steel or zinc plated galvanized steel with nominal thickness of about 0.04″ or 20 gauge. Other materials of a durable and corrosion-resistant nature could also be suited to this invention. Different thicknesses or gauges of material might be specified. In addition, the overall shape of the invention should not be limited by these drawings, such that various parts may be shorter, longer, have more curvature, greater or lesser width, or different thicknesses in order to serve this application.

In fact, additional embodiments and alternative embodiments suited to the novel idea of sheathing and siding hangers have been illustrated in the following FIGS. 2A-7A and are described in some detail below to emphasize a range of possible shapes and support features for adapting this invention to a useful product. However, even the additional and alternative embodiments listed and described below do not constitute the full range of possible designs, measurements or materials which could be used to fulfill the objectives and means of this novel idea.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, and 4A, 4B Additional Embodiments

Additional embodiments are included in FIGS. 2A, 3A, and 4A with illustrations of how these embodiments attach to the building structure in 2B, 3B, and 4B respectively.

FIG. 2A is a metal siding hanger having a flat, rectangular shaped, vertical upper arm 20, with two nail holes 28, which rises above a bottom flat plate like an upside down T. The bottom plate is divided by the upper arm 20, such that one side forms a rear support tab 25 and the other side forms a resting mount 24 that ends in a narrow holding lip 26 for keeping the material in place. This siding hanger is designed to be nailed on to the sheathed exterior with the rear support tab 25 under the sheathing edge.

FIG. 2B shows FIG. 2A attached to a building where the osb or plywood sheathing 70 is already in place. The rear support tab 25 on this design mounts under the edge of the sheathing 70 and is adhered to the sides of it at the nail holes 28.

FIG. 3A is an additional embodiment of FIG. 1A with an added rear support tab 25 perpendicular to the bottom of the upper arm 20, where the hanger bends slightly 32 into the approximately 1″ lower arm 22. The resting mount 24 and the holding lip 26 hang from the lower arm at a right angle 30.

FIG. 3B shows FIG. 3A affixed to a mud sill 50 at the fastener holes 28, with the rear tab 25 set between the top of the foundation wall 40 and below the mud sill 50. The hanger holds the sheathing material approximately 1″ below the mud sill on the resting mount 24.

FIG. 4A is another embodiment of the invention, much like FIG. 1A and FIG. 3A, but with a rear support tab 25 at the top of the upper arm 20, forming an upside down L. The top rear tab 25 has a nail hole 28 for attaching the hanger at the top of the mud sill 50.

FIG. 4B is an illustration of how FIG. 4A adheres to the mud sill 50 at the nail holes 28. The lower arm 22 begins at a slight bend 32, so that the resting mount 24 hangs slightly raised off the mud sill 50 and drops approximately 1″ to the L-shaped resting mount 24.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B and 7A, 7B Alternative Embodiments

FIG. 5A is an illustration of a flat, rectangular shaped hanger similar to FIG. 4A, except that it has a longer resting mount 24 with two holding lips 26 for hanging a double layer of sheathing, or a sheathing and siding combination. The resting mount 24 is either equidistant between the two holding lips 26 or else of slightly varying width, depending on the thickness of the material being supported.

FIG. 5B shows how FIG. 5A hangs fastened to the top and sides of the mud sill 50 at the three nail holes 28. The lower arm 22 bends slightly 32 and drops approximately 1″ below the mud sill 50. Two slots, created by the two resting lips 26, exist on the resting mount 24, so that a double layer of sheet materials can be held in place.

FIG. 6A is a hanger like the one illustrated in FIG. 3A, but with a longer resting mount 24 containing two holding lips 26, one at the middle of the resting mount 24 and one as its finished edge.

FIG. 6B shows FIG. 6A mounted between the foundation wall 40 and the mud sill 50 at the rear tab 25 and attached to the building at the nail holes 28. The resting mount 24, with the double holding lips 26, hang perpendicular to the foundation wall.

FIG. 7A demonstrates another alternative design of a siding hanger comprising a vertical, flat, rectangular arm 20 and two wedge shaped side arms 21 which serve as resting edges for the siding, so that it lays at a slant, which is necessary for some types of siding.

FIG. 7B shows how FIG. 7A is mounted to the osb or plywood sheathing 70 at the two nail holes 28. The siding leans on the edge of the side arms, sits on the resting mount 24, and is held in place by the holding lip 26.

Advantages

From the descriptions and illustrations above, a number of advantages of my sheathing and siding hangers becomes evident:

(a) The hangers provide a holding support for the starter row of wall and roof sheathing and most types of siding on a building other than nails;

(b) The hangers provide a flat surface for holding the starter row of wall and roof sheathing and most types of siding in an equal and level manner;

(c) The hangers are independent of the building and can be spaced as needed to provide an equal and level support for the sheathing and siding materials being installed;

(d) The hangers are easy to attach to an existing structure by using the built-in support tabs and nail holes;

(e) The hangers do not require specialized knowledge to use;

(f) The hangers are made of a known stamped or molded metal process with potentially some hot fusing of parts, which does not require new technology or unfamiliar manufacturing methods;

(g) The hangers are to be made of materials commonly used in the building industry, which are appropriate for this application;

(h) The hangers are to be made to specifications that fall within the recommendations of the International Building Code;

(i) The hangers make it possible for an installer or inspector to verify the height below the mud sill that the wall sheathing hangs, because the holding lip can be visually seen at the bottom of the sheathing;

(j) The hangers by design can both hold and level the sheathing and siding at their starter rows, while the materials are being nailed on to the structure, such that it relieves a person(s) from having to do these tasks and could save labor costs as a result.

Operation—FIGS. 1A, 1C, 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A, 6A and 7A

The sheathing and siding hangers as described in the above illustrations and descriptions of the preferred, additional and alternative embodiments are easy to install on the building structure by using nails or other fasteners in the built-in nail holes 28. The hangers can also be secured on to the structure by inserting or nailing on the support tabs 25 as designed into the additional embodiments, FIGS. 2A, 3A, and 4A, and the alternative embodiments as described in FIGS. 5A and 6A.

FIGS. 1A, 2A, 3A, 4A and 7A are designed to hold one sheet or piece of material at a time. FIGS. 5A and 6A are capable of holding two layers of sheet materials at once. FIG. 1C is a corner mount that fits two sheets of sheathing or siding at right angles to each other.

The hangers are to be made of materials commonly used for connective hardware in the building industry.

The hangers are independently installed around the structure. Properly spaced to provide maximum support, there may be two or more hangers per sheet or piece of material, depending on its size or orientation and the discretion of the installer. The sheathing or siding is set on the hanger's resting mount 24, and supported on its edge against the building. Once set on the hangers, the sheathing or siding can be nailed onto the structure in the usual practice. The hangers remain in place as part of the finished product, providing added support to the walls of the building. The hangers are designed to aid the installer in achieving the required height of the sheathing below the mud sill and to ensure a level installation of the sheathing or siding around the entire structure. The slight holding lip 26 of the hangers can be visually inspected on the very bottom of the sheet materials, which will aid an inspecting body in determining the actual height of the material relative to the mud sill, if necessary. The holding lip 26 can be painted to match the exterior of the building if desired, such that the finished look of the product is not compromised by the presence of the hanger.

The sheathing hangers can be used to help install the starter row of the roof sheathing at the rafter tail-ends. The hangers help hold the sheathing in place at the edge of the roof, providing added support and helping create a more even roof edge.

However, the sheathing and siding hangers should not be limited by these uses. The hangers may be useful for other applications, such as hanging fence planks or lattice, or supporting wall hangings such as flower boxes, bulletin boards, or shelving.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS AND SCOPE

The reader can determine from the written descriptions and illustrations of the various embodiments that the invention is a connective hardware that aids in the installation of wall sheathing and siding at the mudsill and foundation, as well as the installation of roof sheathing at the rafter tail-ends. The hangers create a level resting mount for the wall or roof sheathing and the siding on a building such that the finished building has a more even edge than could otherwise be achieved without it. The hangers have a prefabricated flat mount that achieves a drop below the mud sill, which allows the sheathing to be installed easily in a weather protective manner. Thus, the hanger is capable of creating an improved level of uniformity, where it did not previously exist.

Sheathing and siding is normally installed using only nails. This new application adds the hangers to the equation, such that the sheathing; siding or sheet materials are held on to the building by the hangers as well as by the nails. In addition, the hangers provide a solid mount for the material being installed that otherwise did not exist, such that the finished product is more securely fastened and thus the building could possibly enjoy a longer life with the presence of the hangers.

The hangers are to be made using a known metal stamping or molding process with, potentially, some hot fusing of components. The hangers are envisioned to be made of galvanized steel, which is a commonly used material and, therefore, should be a cost effective additive for the builder, at the same time that it is a labor saving mechanism.

The hangers are easy to install on the existing structure. The ease of installation, the level resting mount, and the holding capacity of the hangers will aid the builder in sheathing or siding the structure, and therefore should save labor costs on the project.

The above descriptions describe many possible embodiments and a solid range of advantages and objects of this hanger, but these alone should not limit the scope of this invention. The hanger could have other shapes, additional nail holes, multiple tabs, various measurements, or be made of alternative materials such as plastic or other metals beyond what has been described or recommended. Even the uses as detailed above should not limit this invention, such that these sheathing and siding hangers may be capable of other means and functions. Thus, the scope of the invention should not be limited by the particular forms and uses as herein described for the sheathing and siding hangers, but should be determined by the claims listed and their legal values. 

1. A building construction connective hardware for wall sheathing and siding materials comprising a thin, flat rectangular shaped upper arm with nail holes and a slightly bent, lower arm that flattens into an L-shaped resting mount with a narrow holding lip, whereby it holds and supports said materials at the mud sill and foundation for the starting row.
 2. A connective hardware of claim 1 wherein it levels the sheathing and siding at the starter row.
 3. A connective hardware of claim 1 wherein it hangs the sheathing and siding at a uniform length below the mudsill.
 4. A connective hardware of claim 3 wherein it hangs the sheathing and siding approximately 1″ below the mudsill.
 5. A connective hardware device of claim 1 wherein it contains built-in tabs as additional fasteners for attaching to the building.
 6. A connective hardware of claim 1 wherein it is made of galvanized steel.
 7. A connective hardware of claim 6 wherein it is zinc plated.
 8. A connective hardware of claim 1 wherein it is made of stainless steel.
 9. A connective hardware of claim 1 wherein it is made of silicon bronze.
 10. A connective hardware of claim 1 wherein it is made of copper.
 11. A connective hardware of claim 1 wherein it is made of plastic.
 12. A connective hardware of claim 1 wherein it has a minimum 0.04″ nominal thickness or 20 gauge.
 13. A connective hardware of claim 1 wherein it has a double resting mount for holding two layers of material.
 14. A building construction connective hardware for roof sheathing comprising a thin, flat rectangular shaped upper arm with nail holes and a slightly bent, lower arm that flattens into an L-shaped resting mount with a narrow holding lip, whereby it hangs and supports said materials to the rafter tail-ends for the starting row.
 15. A device of claim 14 whereby it is made of galvanized steel.
 16. A device of claim 14 whereby it is made of stainless steel.
 17. A device of claim 14 whereby it is made of silicon bronze.
 18. A device of claim 14 whereby it is made of copper.
 19. A device of claim 14 whereby it is made of plastic. 